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It's a time for travel, family and fun. And it shouldn't be a time when kids have to fret over school assignments, Brevard School Board chairwoman Amy Kneessy says.

"As parents, we're going to give it 100 percent for 180 days of the school year, but those three breaks, the kids need a break, too," Kneessy told Florida Today. She referred to Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks. "I want to be able to take my kids on a vacation and not tote around homework."

Kneessy has been pushing this policy idea for three years. The Brevard Federation of Teachers has said board members shouldn't be restricting teachers' ability to make assignments as needed to get lessons complete. Not to mention the kids need to stay intellectually fresh over the breaks.

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How are state tests being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.